PSG ban referee receives death threats

Alexandre Castro initially received the threats after he was shoulder charged by Leonardo, 43, following PSG's 1-1 draw at home to Valenciennes on May 5.

The former Inter and AC Milan coach was given a nine-month ban, and PSG hit with a suspended three-point deduction by the French Football League's (LFP) disciplinary commission last Thursday as a result of the incident, provoking further menacing calls to Castro.

"The telephone number was visible so that will of course help the police. I cannot reveal the content of the threat," Castro's lawyer, Patrick Anton, told media, adding his client had informed the authorities in the hope of obtaining police protection for his family.

"He's quite calm, because he's a well-balanced boy. But he is a little worried for his family. He has young children, and when things are like that, you worry most about what's going to happen to them. He's going to be careful in the coming days."

Leonardo, reportedly incensed by Castro's first-half dismissal of PSG captain Thiago Silva, was caught on camera deliberately colliding with the 42-year-old as the referee made his way to his dressing-room after the final whistle.